I moved to San Francisco in 2005 with my soon-to-be husband. We moved into a studio apartment at 6th and Taylor, next to the Golden Gate Theatre. My second job in the city (I had a brief stint at the Old Navy on Market), the one that I kept for the remainder of my undergrad, was at City Box Office. I'd applied for the job hoping to get connected to more theater people, and while that didn't so much work out, I did meet some of my favorite people on the planet, and got the chance to see a ton of events that I wouldn't have been able to afford any other way. City Box Office has an exclusive contract with the Herbst Theatre. This is how I saw Salmon Rushdie, Zadie Smith, Kiki and Herb, Amy Sedaris, and so so so many others. The Herbst is where I had a small moment saying hello to Robin Williams, where I completely embarrassed myself in front of Molly Ringwald, where I told Richard Brautigan's daughter how influential her father was to me. In a lot of ways the Herbst feels like my first San Francisco home.
November 4th I am returning to the Herbst for the Theatre Bay Area Awards where, (insert drum roll please) Z Space‘s world premiere production of RIPPED has been named a finalist for a whopping SEVEN awards!!!! Including….
- Outstanding Sound Design: Sara Huddleston
- Outstanding Lighting Design: Colm McNally
- Outstanding Creative Specialty, Movement and Staging/Intimacy Director: Maya Herbsman
- Outstanding Direction of a Play: Lisa Steindler
- Outstanding Performance in a Principal Role in a Play: Krystle Piamonte (Lucy)
- Outstanding World Premiere Play: ME! Ahhhhhh!
- Outstanding Production of a Play: Z Space Team
I am surprised. I am honored. I am so over-the-moon that the efforts of these fantastic artists are being recognized. And I am feeling a very full-circle moment that on November 4th I'll be heading to the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco for the Award Show.
Find out about tickets, and the full list of finalists here. And maybe see you in November?